Hamas and Iran Hold Meetings to Mend Ties

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The Hamas flag. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

JNS.org – Despite differences over the civil war in Syria, senior Hamas officials met with Iranian and Hezbollah officials in Beirut last month in an effort to mend ties, the Saudi-owned newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported Sunday.

Palestinian sources cited in the report said “Important meetings were held in Lebanon at the end of last month between officials from Hamas, officials from Hezbollah, and Iranian officials in an attempt to resolve any differences.”

According to the report, “members of the Hamas politburo, Moussa Abu Marzouk and Mohamed Nasr, met with Hezbollah officials at the Iranian Embassy in Lebanon to discuss relations.”

Marzouk was reportedly en route to Egypt from Turkey through Lebanon, just a few days before Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi was deposed by the Egyptian military.

“Iranian support to the [Hamas] movement was discussed,” as was the crisis in Syria, the source said.

Relations between Hamas and Iran had become strained over the Syrian civil war. Last year, multiple reports claimed that Hamas had vacated its long-standing Damascus headquarters, so as not to be seen as supporting President Bashar al-Assad, whom Iran and Hezbollah staunchly back in his battle against rebels.